Meet the Man Behind ‘Family Guy’s’ Peter Griffin

One thing that was missing from the 2013 Oscars ceremony was Peter Griffin -- although, that might have been a good thing. Seth MacFarlane has summoned his 'Family Guy' persona many times before in public appearances, but when he hosted the Oscars this Sunday, he managed to restrain himself. However, if you were watching the show in RI and managed to leave the TV on for the proceeding ABC 6 news segment, you would have seen the real-life Peter Griffin, or rather the man on whom MacFarlane based the cartoon character.

Having grown up in the Ocean State myself, I can say Rhode Islanders have this "inside joke"-type of connection with the 'Family Guy' creator, as the show is set in and features many references to the state. So it should come as no surprise that the man who served as inspiration for the character of Peter Griffin is a native Rhode Islander.

Following the 2013 Oscars ceremony, ABC 6 debuted footage of their Skype interview with Mr. Paul Timmins, the man who, at the time of MacFarlane's education at RISD, was a campus security guard -- the same guy who would "shoot the breeze" with MacFarlane on breaks. Previously the comedian described Timmins as having a "big thick Rhode Island accent" with "absolutely no self editing what so ever," and although you may not be able to see it in the video below, Timmins used to be more heavyset with those same big ol' glasses he still wears now.

"I'm very proud of it," said Timmins. "I am clearly the visual of Peter 'cause the character of Peter is an idiot." For more information on the real-life Peter Griffin, check out the ABC 6 segment below.